West Haven, CT

Census place 0982800 · pop 55,351

D−45/ 100
🫤 Rough
D
in CT
📍 Connecticut ranks #45 of 50 states →
🏆 Crime104/100k · top 30%
🚽 Prop tax2.38% · bottom 5%
💡 Did you know?

Home of the University of New Haven, which despite its name sits in West Haven.

Source ↗
Taxes
2.38% property · US 0.99%6.35% sales · US 7.00%up to 6.99% income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Property-tax burden2.38%5

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

2.38% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level12 days16

U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities

12 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Homeownership50.6%16

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

50.6% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Physical inactivity29.6%27

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

29.6% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level94/10032

U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities

94/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Uninsured adults11.8%33

U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities

11.8% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Rent$2,005/mo34

U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities

$2,005/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Population growth (5yr)+1.1%37

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

+1.1% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Poverty rate14.1%38

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

14.1% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Poor mental health17.6%43

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

17.6% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Income inequality0.4443

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.44 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Adult obesity35.7%45

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

35.7% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Housing cost$291,70048

U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities

$291,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Median household income$74,38249

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$74,382 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Bachelor's degree or higher30.5%51

U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities

30.5% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Property crime rate1240/100k52

U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities

1240 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Commute time23 min57

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

23 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Adult smoking12.3%60

U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities

12.3% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Broadband access92.9%61

U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities

92.9% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Air quality (AQI)County-level41 AQI62

U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities

41 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Violent crime rate104/100k70

U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities

104 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Not measured for West Haven: Jobs. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is West Haven, CT a good place to live?
By the numbers, West Haven scores 45/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 21 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is violent crime rate and its weakest is property-tax burden. Connecticut overall ranks #45 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is West Haven, CT?
West Haven reports 104 violent crimes per 100k and 1240 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is West Haven, CT expensive to live in?
West Haven has a median home value of $291,700 and typical rent around $2,005/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in West Haven, CT?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (2.38%) — 5/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is West Haven, CT best at?
Its strongest measured area is violent crime rate (104/100k) — 70/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Home of the University of New Haven, which despite its name sits in West Haven.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.